Air release assembly for use with providing heated water for well related activities

ABSTRACT

A system is provided that allows relatively low temperature water to be withdrawn from a pipeline for heating and then returning the heated water to the pipeline, wherein the assembly includes a device for limiting or preventing excess air within the pipeline to also be drawn into the one or more water heaters being used. At least one embodiment further includes a device for adjusting the rate of flow through a primary pipe so that desired temperatures are maintained during the heating process.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/834,285, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, which claimsthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/692,667 filedon Aug. 23, 2012, both applications of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

FIELD

The present invention is related to a method and apparatus for providingheated water, such as providing heated water for oil and gas wellrelated activities.

BACKGROUND

Various activities are performed on oil and gas wells to improve theperformance characteristics of the wells. By way of example, as part ofa hydraulic fracturing process, water is heated and is used in thehydraulic fracturing procedure. However, there is a need for additionalmethods and devices that improve the withdrawal of low temperature waterfrom a pipeline and return of heated water to the pipeline.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, a source of water at ahydraulic fracturing project site may take several different forms. Forexample, a plurality of water storage tanks, such as tanker truck tanksfilled with water, may be used as a source of water at a given hydraulicfracturing project site. When being used, water is removed from thetanks, such as by pumping the water from the tanks. As water is pumpedfrom a given tank, the water level is drawn down within the tank, and attimes, air is drawn into the water line. If multiple water tanks arebeing used, such as tens or even hundreds of water tanks, successiveinjections of air into a water line can occur.

The presence of air within the water line can be a safety issue forworkers and it can also cause damage to equipment. For example, as airis pumped within the water line, it can cause pipe and/or hoseconnections to vibrate or even come loose, thereby potentially causing aphysical hazard to a nearby worker. With regard to equipment, not onlyare fittings sometimes stressed or damaged, but air within the pipelinecan create a situation where steam is generated in the heating processthat is used to heat the water. The generation of steam can lead todetrimental effects on the integrity of coils within the water heatingsystem, such as rupturing coils that could injure workers. Accordingly,it would be advantageous to maintain circulation within the heatingcoils by limiting or preventing the presence of air within a waterheating system forming part of a hydraulic fracturing system.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that the present invention includes a variety ofdifferent versions or embodiments, and this Summary is not meant to belimiting or all-inclusive. This Summary provides some generaldescriptions of some of the embodiments, but may also include some morespecific descriptions of other embodiments.

In at least one embodiment, a pipe configuration is provided that allowsrelatively low temperature water to be withdrawn from a pipeline, heatedand then returned to the pipeline. At least one embodiment includes anassembly of elements that allows air within a flow of water in a pipe tobe removed from the pipe before the water is heated and returned to thepipe. In at least one embodiment, removal of the air from the waterwithin a pipe may be performed prior to or in association withconveyance of the water through a device for adjusting the rate of flowthrough a primary pipe so that desired temperatures are maintainedduring the heating process.

Accordingly, an assembly adapted for use with an oil/gas well treatmentsystem that includes a water source (e.g., a plurality of mobile, trucktransportable water tanks filled with water) and upstream pipingcarrying a primary flow of water from the water source is provided, theoil/gas well treatment system further including one or more waterheaters (e.g., at least one mobile, truck mounted/transportable heatingunit) for heating a partial flow from the primary flow of water, theoil/gas well treatment system further including downstream piping, theassembly comprising:

a primary pipe for coupling to the upstream piping and the downstreampiping;

a lateral outlet pipe (or hose) connected to the primary pipe forconveying the partial flow from the primary flow of water from theprimary pipe;

an air release structure connected to the lateral outlet pipe, the airrelease structure adapted to release at least some air within thepartial flow from the primary flow of water;

a transfer pipe (or hose) located between the air release structure andthe one or more water heaters, the transfer pipe adapted for conveyingwater between the air release structure and the one or more waterheaters; and

a lateral inlet pipe (or hose) connected to the primary pipe, thelateral inlet pipe interconnected to the air release structure via theone or more water heaters and the transfer pipe.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, an inlet for the lateraloutlet pipe entering the air release structure is located at a higherelevation than an outlet for the transfer pipe exiting the air releasestructure. In at least one embodiment, multiple air release structuresmay be used where they are fluidly interconnected. Alternatively, ifmultiple water heaters are used, then a separate air release structuremay be associated upstream of each water heater, such that each waterheater is drawing water from an air release structure.

One or more embodiments described herein are directed to a device forcontrolling a flow of water associated with a water heating system.Accordingly, a diverting and restricting apparatus for adjusting a waterflow in an oil/gas well treatment system that includes one or more waterheaters is provided, the system having a water source with upstreampiping, the system having downstream piping, the diverting andrestricting apparatus comprising:

a primary pipe for coupling to the upstream piping and the downstreampiping;

a lateral outlet pipe connected to the primary pipe;

a lateral inlet pipe connected to the primary pipe, the lateral inletpipe fluidly interconnected to the lateral outlet pipe via the one ormore water heaters; and

a valve situated within the primary pipe and located between a locationof the lateral outlet pipe and the lateral inlet pipe.

In at least one embodiment, the valve comprises a butterfly valve. In atleast one embodiment, the valve is manually actuated. In at least oneembodiment, the valve is electronically actuated. In at least oneembodiment, the system further comprises a temperature gauge operativelyassociated with the primary pipe for sensing a temperature within theprimary pipe. In at least one embodiment, a computer monitors readingsfrom the temperature gauge and adjusts the valve. In at least oneembodiment, the system further comprises at least one secondary valveoperatively associated with at least one of the lateral outlet pipe andthe lateral inlet pipe. In at least one embodiment, the at least onesecondary valve comprises a butterfly valve. In at least one embodiment,the at least one secondary valve is manually actuated. In at least oneembodiment, the at least one secondary valve is electronically actuated.In at least one embodiment, a computer monitors readings from atemperature gauge and adjusts the at least one secondary valve. In atleast one embodiment, the system further comprises a temperature gaugedownstream of the primary pipe and is operatively associated with aliquid storage member. In at least one embodiment, the liquid storagemember comprises one or more of a tank, container, pond, and liquidholding apparatus.

In another embodiment, a diverting and restricting apparatus foradjusting a water flow in an oil/gas well treatment system is provided,the system having a water source with upstream piping, the system havingdownstream piping, the diverting and restricting apparatus comprising:

a primary pipe for coupling to the upstream piping and the downstreampiping;

a lateral outlet pipe connected to the primary pipe and extending to oneor more water heaters;

a lateral inlet pipe connected to the primary pipe, the lateral inletpipe fluidly interconnected to the lateral outlet pipe via the one ormore water heaters;

a valve situated within the primary pipe and located between a locationof the lateral outlet pipe and the lateral inlet pipe;

at least one secondary valve operatively associated with at least one ofthe lateral outlet pipe and the lateral inlet pipe; and

a temperature gauge operatively associated with the primary pipe forsensing a temperature within the primary pipe.

In yet another embodiment, a diverting and restricting apparatus foradjusting a water flow in an oil/gas well treatment system is provided,the system having a water source with upstream piping, the system havingdownstream piping, the diverting and restricting apparatus comprising:

a primary pipe for coupling to the upstream piping and the downstreampiping;

a lateral outlet pipe connected to the primary pipe and extending to oneor more water heaters;

a lateral inlet pipe connected to the primary pipe, the lateral inletpipe fluidly interconnected to the lateral outlet pipe via the one ormore water heaters;

a flow restriction apparatus situated within the primary pipe andlocated between a location of the lateral outlet pipe and the lateralinlet pipe; and

a temperature gauge operatively associated with the primary pipe forsensing a temperature within the primary pipe.

In at least one embodiment, the flow restriction apparatus comprises avalve, such as a butterfly valve. In at least one embodiment, a computerwirelessly monitors readings from the temperature gauge and adjusts thebutterfly valve.

Various components are referred to herein as “operably associated.” Asused herein, “operably associated” refers to components that are linkedtogether in operable fashion, and encompasses embodiments in whichcomponents are linked directly, as well as embodiments in whichadditional components are placed between the two linked components.

As used herein, “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” areopen-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive inoperation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, Band C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “oneor more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, Calone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B andC together.

Various embodiments of the present inventions are set forth in theattached figures and in the Detailed Description as provided herein andas embodied by the claims. It should be understood, however, that thisSummary does not contain all of the aspects and embodiments of the oneor more present inventions, is not meant to be limiting or restrictivein any manner, and that the invention(s) as disclosed herein is/areunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art to encompass obviousimprovements and modifications thereto.

Additional advantages of the present invention will become readilyapparent from the following discussion, particularly when taken togetherwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of theone or more present inventions, a more particular description of the oneor more present inventions is rendered by reference to specificembodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Itshould be appreciated that these drawings depict only typicalembodiments of the one or more present inventions and are therefore notto be considered limiting of its scope. The one or more presentinventions are described and explained with additional specificity anddetail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a system in accordance with an embodiment ofthe one or more present inventions;

FIG. 2 is a schematic of an embodiment of the diverting and restrictingapparatus portion of the system depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another schematic of an embodiment of the diverting andrestricting apparatus portion of the system depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of a system in accordance with another embodimentof the one or more present inventions, the system including an airrelease structure upstream of the one or more water heaters;

FIG. 5 is a schematic of an embodiment of the air release assemblyassociated with the system depicted in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic of another embodiment of a diverting andrestricting apparatus portion of the system that can be used with theair release structure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic of a system in accordance with another embodimentincluding an air release structure; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic of yet another embodiment of a diverting andrestricting apparatus portion of the system that can be used with theair release structure.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments of the one or more present inventions describedherein include a system for heating water (or other liquid) for an oiland gas well system and returning the heated water to a conveyance pipe.Accordingly, in at least one embodiment, an apparatus is provided forpassing water, withdrawing water, and adding water to a flow of water tothereby provide a stream of water at a suitable temperature. In at leastone embodiment, an air release structure is provided for limiting orpreventing air from being transmitted to the one or more water heatersbeing used to heat the water.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an overall schematic of a portion of theoil/gas well treatment system 100 is shown. Here, it is to be understoodthat an oil/gas well treatment system is used as an example, and is notbe interpreted as limiting the uses of the technology. For example, thesystem and methods described herein are applicable to other systemsrequiring heated liquids, including liquids other than water, such aswater with additives and oil. Within the oil and gas well industry,embodiments described herein are at least applicable to heating liquids,such as water, used in hydraulic fracturing of a subsurface geologicformation that is expected to contain oil and/or gas.

As shown in FIG. 1, an upstream water source 104 is fluidly connected bypiping to diverting and restricting apparatus 200. The diverting andrestricting apparatus 200 includes a primary pipe 204 and one or morelateral outlet pipes 208 that carry water to one or more water heaters108. As used herein, pipe or piping (including primary and lateralpipes) includes liquid conveyance devices or conduits of a variety ofmaterial types (e.g., metal, plastic, rubber, fabric, composites, andceramic), and further include hose, tubing and the like, as well ascombinations of the foregoing. Heated water is returned from the one ormore water heaters 108 to the diverting and restricting apparatus 200via one or more lateral inlet pipes 212. Thereafter, the flow of wateris conveyed downstream. By way of example and not limitation, downstreamelements may include one or more liquid storage members, such as one ormore of a tank, container, vessel, pond (e.g., membrane lined pond) orcombinations of the like for storing heated water until it is used.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an embodiment of a diverting and restrictingapparatus 200 is shown. The diverting and restricting apparatus 200includes an upstream flange or coupler 216 for interconnecting thediverting and restricting apparatus 200 to an upstream pipe that isfluidly connected to the water source 104. As noted above, the divertingand restricting apparatus 200 further includes a primary pipe 204 havingat least one lateral outlet pipe 208. The lateral outlet pipe 208provides a way of withdrawing a portion of the flow from the primarypipe 204 that can be conveyed to one or more portable heating units 108for heating. After heating water at the one or more portable heatingunits 108, the heated water is returned to the primary pipe 204 via atleast one lateral inlet pipe 212. The lateral inlet pipe 212 is locateddownstream of the lateral outlet pipe 208.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, connections betweendifferent sections of pipe may take a variety of forms. In at least oneembodiment, the lateral outlet pipe 208 and lateral inlet pipe 212 areconnected to the primary pipe 204 by welded connections; however, othertypes of connections and/or fittings may be used as known to thoseskilled in the art. In addition, in at least one embodiment, hose isused in combination with metal pipe that are interconnected via acoupling, and such combinations of materials can be used to providefluid conduit between the primary pipe 204 and the one or more portableheating units 108. Accordingly, the description provided herein is to beconsidered exemplary, with pipe (to include hose, conduit and the like)connections generally referred to herein simply as “connected.”

In at least one embodiment, a primary flow control mechanism 220, suchas a valve, and more preferably a butterfly valve, is located in theflow path of the primary pipe 204 between lateral outlet pipe 208 andthe lateral inlet pipe 212. The primary flow control mechanism 220allows the overall rate of flow through the primary pipe 204 to beadjusted. In at least one embodiment, a secondary flow control mechanism224, such as a valve, and more preferably a butterfly valve, can be usedto adjust the rate of flow passing through the lateral outlet pipe 208.Similarly, a secondary flow control mechanism 224, again, such as avalve, and more preferably a butterfly valve, can be used to adjust therate of flow passing through the lateral inlet pipe 212 and enteringprimary pipe 204.

In at least one embodiment, a temperature gauge 228 is locateddownstream of the lateral inlet pipe 212. The temperature gauge 228preferably includes a sensor for measuring the temperature of the waterpassing through the primary pipe 204 at the location of the temperaturegauge 228. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, depending uponthe temperature of the water measured at the temperature gauge 228,aspects of the diverting and restricting apparatus 200 can be adjustedto accommodate the desired flow rate and water temperature. By way ofexample, the primary flow control mechanism 220 can be adjusted toincrease the water flow in the primary pipe 204 if the temperature istoo high. Similarly, the primary flow control mechanism 220 can beadjusted to decrease the water flow in the primary pipe 204 if thetemperature is too low. Alternatively, the secondary flow controlmechanisms 224 can be adjusted to increase or decrease the flow rate ofwater to and from the water heaters 108 depending upon the desiredtemperature and flow rate requirements for a given project or portionthereof. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the ability toadjust the flow rates of the primary pipe and one or more of the lateraloutlet or lateral inlet pipes can be further influenced by thetemperature of the water available from the water source. For example, awater source at a first project site at northern latitudes with welltreatment operations being conducted in winter may have lowertemperatures for its water source as compared to higher watertemperatures for a water source at a second project site situated inwarmer latitudes with well treatment operations being conducted in thesummer. Accordingly, the diverting and restricting apparatus 200includes a combination of features that permits personnel working on aproject to adjust the diverting and restricting apparatus to accommodatethe needs of the project as they change.

With reference now to FIG. 3, a diverting and restricting apparatus 200is depicted that includes a plurality of lateral outlet pipes. Althoughtwo lateral outlet pipes are shown, it is to be understood that anynumber of lateral outlet pipes could be used, such as 2 to 100 lateraloutlet pipes depending upon the project. A similar number of lateralinlet pipes may also be used. Referring still to FIG. 3, two lateraloutlet pipes are shown, namely, first lateral outlet pipe 208 a andsecond lateral outlet pipe 208 b. In addition, two lateral inlet pipesare shown, namely, first lateral inlet pipe 212 a and second lateralinlet pipe 212 b.

In use, unheated water flows from the water source 104 to the divertingand restricting apparatus 200 where a portion of the flow is conveyedthrough one or more lateral outlet pipes 208 to the water heaters 108.Water is heated and returned to the primary pipe 204 of the divertingand restricting apparatus 200 via one or more lateral inlet pipes 212.The temperature of the flow of water through the diverting andrestricting apparatus 200 is monitored at temperature gauge 228. Theprimary flow control mechanism 220 can be used to adjust the flow, andthus the temperature of water passing through the diverting andrestricting apparatus 200. In addition, more or less flow can be sent tothe water heaters 108 by adjusting the flow of water using the secondaryflow control mechanisms 224. Of course, the water heaters 108 may alsobe adjusted to increase the temperature of the water they receive asconditions warrant. Such a configuration enables a substantiallycontinuous flow of water to be provided downstream within the desiredflow rate and temperature parameters.

In at least one embodiment, a computer and related controls (to include,by way of example and not limitation, one or more of microprocessor,discrete circuit connected to step motors and analog circuits) is usedto adjust the flow, and thus the temperature, of water passing throughthe diverting and restricting apparatus 200. More specifically, as onepossible algorithm, electronic signals from a temperature gauge 228 arereceived at a computer, wherein the electronic signals correspond totemperature readings measured by the temperature gauge 228. The computercompares the temperature readings to an established target value for thetemperature of the heated water, and thereafter, causes one or moreadjustments to be made to the system, such as by sending an electronicsignal to the primary flow control mechanism 220 to partially open orpartially close. So for example, after comparing the temperature readingto the target value, if the computer determines that the temperature istoo low, the computer then sends an electronic signal to the primaryflow control mechanism 220 to partially close. Conversely, if aftercomparing the temperature reading to the target value the computerdetermines that the temperature is too high, the flow rate through theprimary pipe 204 can be increased by partially opening the primary flowcontrol mechanism 220 (provided it is not already fully open). Inaddition, if the computer determines that the temperature is within anacceptable tolerance of the established target temperature, then thecomputer will not send an electronic signal causing an adjustment to bemade to primary flow control mechanism 220. The algorithm furtherincludes looping back to receiving a temperature reading and performinganother comparison and so on until such time as the water heatingprocess is terminated.

The computer can also be used to adjust one or more of the secondaryflow control mechanisms 224. More particularly, rather than only adjustthe flow through the primary pipe 204, after comparing the temperaturereading to the targeted value, the computer can send electronic signalsto the one or more of the secondary flow control mechanisms 224 topartially open or close. So for example, after comparing the temperaturereading to the target value, if the computer determines that thetemperature is too low, the computer then sends an electronic signal tothe secondary flow control mechanism 224 associated with a lateraloutlet pipe 208 that leads to one or more of the portable water heaters108 to partially open. Conversely, if after comparing the temperaturereading to the target value the computer determines that the temperatureis too high, the flow rate through the lateral outlet pipe 208 can bedecreased by partially closing the associated secondary flow controlmechanism 224. Adjustments could also be made to the secondary flowcontrol mechanisms 224 associated with the lateral inlet pipes 212.Again, if the computer determines that the temperature is within anacceptable tolerance of the established target temperature, then thecomputer will not send an electronic signal causing an adjustment to bemade to a secondary primary flow control mechanism 224. The algorithmfurther includes looping back to receiving a temperature reading andperforming another comparison and so on until such time as the waterheating process is terminated.

Moreover, the computer can also be used to simultaneously adjust boththe primary flow control mechanism 220 and the secondary flow controlmechanisms 224 associated with one or more of the lateral outlet pipes208 and the lateral inlet pipes 212, as may be desired.

Data can be transmitted between the computer and the temperature gauge228, as well as the primary flow control mechanism 220 and the secondaryflow control mechanisms 224, via wiring or via wireless communications,such as radio frequency signals.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, it is possible to adjust aflow rate of a liquid in a pipe by adjusting a pumping rate of theliquid entering the pipe. Alternatively, it may be desirable to notadjust the pumping rate (for example, because pumps belong to adifferent entity). Accordingly, in at least one embodiment, thetemperature of a flow of liquid is monitored at a temperature sensor,and a flow of liquid is adjusted only by controlling a flow restrictor(such as a butterfly valve) in a primary pipe between at least onelateral outlet pipe and one lateral inlet pipe, wherein a pump is notadjusted, at least for a period of time associated with heating liquid,to control the flow of liquid. In at least one embodiment the liquid isselected from the group consisting of water, oil, chemical additives,and combinations thereof.

For the one or more embodiments utilizing a computer, the systems andmethods of this technology can be implemented in conjunction with aspecial purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontrollerand peripheral integrated circuit element(s), an ASIC or otherintegrated circuit, a digital signal processor, a hard-wired electronicor logic circuit such as discrete element circuit, a programmable logicdevice or gate array such as PLD, PLA, FPGA, PAL, any comparable means,or the like. In general, any device(s) or means capable of implementingthe methodology illustrated herein can be used to implement the variousaspects of this technology.

Exemplary hardware that can be used for the present system includescomputers, handheld devices and other hardware known in the art. Some ofthese devices include processors (e.g., a single or multiplemicroprocessors), memory, nonvolatile storage, input devices, and outputdevices. Furthermore, alternative software implementations including,but not limited to, distributed processing or component/objectdistributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machineprocessing can also be constructed to implement the methods describedherein.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be readilyimplemented in conjunction with software using object or object-orientedsoftware development environments that provide portable source code thatcan be used on a variety of computer or workstation platforms.Alternatively, the disclosed system may be implemented partially orfully in hardware using standard logic circuits or VLSI design. Whethersoftware or hardware is used to implement the systems in accordance withthis technology is dependent on the speed and/or efficiency requirementsof the system, the particular function, and the particular software orhardware systems or microprocessor or microcomputer systems beingutilized.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be partiallyimplemented in software that can be stored on a computer readablestorage medium, executed on a programmed general-purpose computer withthe cooperation of a controller and memory, a special purpose computer,a microprocessor, or the like. In these instances, the systems andmethods of this technology can be implemented as a program embedded onpersonal computer such as an applet, JAVA® or CGI script, as a resourceresiding on a server or computer workstation, as a routine embedded in adedicated measurement system, system component, or the like. The systemcan also be implemented by physically incorporating the system and/ormethod into a software and/or hardware system.

Referring now to FIG. 4, and in a further embodiment of the one or moreinventions described herein, an oil/gas well treatment system 100 isprovided that includes an air release structure 400. The air releasestructure 400 is a container or portion thereof suitable for holdingwater or another liquid. The air release structure 400 preferablyincludes an air release vent to release air to the atmosphere. Whencomparing FIG. 4 to FIG. 1, it can be seen that, in one embodiment, theair release structure 400 is situated between the lateral outlet pipe208 and the one or more water heaters 108. Therefore, the air releasestructure 400 enables air to be removed from that portion of the waterflow that is being heated and returned to the primary pipe 204. In atleast one embodiment, if multiple water heaters are used, then aseparate air release structure may be associated upstream of each waterheater, such that each water heater is drawing water from an air releasestructure. Alternatively, if a sufficiently large air release structureis used, then it may be interconnected to a plurality of water heaters.In addition, in at least one embodiment a transfer pipe 404 is locatedbetween the air release structure 400 and the one or more water heaters108.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a variety of different types of water sources104 may exist, such as water from a plurality of tanker trucks or mobiletanks. As hydraulic fracturing operations begin, water is pumped fromthe water source 104 and into the primary pipe 204. During this process,air may be sucked into the primary pipe 204 because the water levelwithin a given tank is drawn down below the level of the water outletfrom the tank. An air release structure 400, in accordance with one ormore embodiments described herein, serves to allow the air to escapefrom a portion of the flow in the primary pipe 204 before it is heatedin one or more water heaters 108, such as truck-mounted water heaters108. More specifically, a lateral outlet pipe 208 provides for a portionof the flow within the primary pipe 204 to be conveyed to the airrelease structure 400. In at least one embodiment, the air releasestructure 400 comprises a mobile tank, such as an integratedtrailer-mounted tank that can be pulled by a semi-trailer truck.

In at least one embodiment, the lateral outlet pipe 208 enters the airrelease structure 400 at a first elevation 500. In at least oneembodiment, a transfer pipe (or hose) 404 is situated between the airrelease structure 400 and a water heater 108. Water leaving the airrelease structure 400 exits at a second elevation 504, wherein firstelevation 500 is higher than second elevation 504. The differencebetween first elevation 500 and second elevation 504 is a change inelevation ΔEL. The difference in elevation helps ensure that the air isallowed to vent from the flow before the water is conveyed to the waterheater 108 via the transfer pipe 404. After water is heated in the waterheater 108, the heated water is returned to the primary pipe 204 by wayof a lateral inlet pipe 212.

Still referring to FIG. 5, in at least one embodiment, the systemutilizing one or more air release structures 400 as described above mayfurther include a primary flow control mechanism 220 that allows theoverall rate of flow through the primary pipe 204 to be adjusted.Although not shown in FIG. 5, in at least one embodiment, the airrelease structure 400 may be used with one or more water heaters 108,wherein the associated piping does not include a primary flow controlmechanism 220 situated between a lateral outlet pipe 208 and a lateralinlet pipe 212.

Still referring to FIG. 5, in at least one embodiment, the systemutilizing one or more air release structures 400 as described above mayfurther include a secondary flow control mechanism 224 that allows theflow through a lateral outlet pipe 208 or a lateral inlet pipe 212 to beadjusted. Although not shown in FIG. 5, in at least one embodiment, theair release structure 400 may be used with one or more water heaters108, wherein the associated lateral outlet and lateral inlet piping doesnot include one or more secondary flow control mechanisms 224.

In at least one embodiment, the air release structure 400 includes oneor more water level sensors 508 for detecting a level of water withinthe air release structure 400. In at least one embodiment, the waterlevel sensors 508 are in communication with a computer, wherein thecomputer monitors the level of water within the air release structure400. In at least one embodiment, and using data from the one or morewater level sensors 508, the computer causes a signal to be sent to oneor more of a pump and a valve to adjust at least one of (a) a flow rateof water into the air release structure 400, and (b) a flow rate ofwater out of the air release structure 400. In at least one embodiment,the computer is located at a position that is spaced apart from at leastone of the air release structure 400 and the one or more water heaters108. In at least one embodiment, the computer is in communication withat least one of (a) a primary flow control mechanism 220, (b) asecondary flow control mechanism 224, and (c) a temperature sensor 228.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an embodiment of a diverting and restrictingapparatus 600 is shown. The diverting and restricting apparatus 600includes an upstream flange or coupler 216 for interconnecting thediverting and restricting apparatus 600 to an upstream pipe that isfluidly connected to the water source 104. The diverting and restrictingapparatus 600 further includes a primary pipe 604 having at least onelateral outlet pipe 608. The lateral outlet pipe 608 provides a way ofwithdrawing a portion of the flow from the primary pipe 604 that can beconveyed to one or more portable heating units 108 for heating. Afterheating water at the one or more portable heating units 108, the heatedwater is returned to the primary pipe 604 via at least one lateral inletpipe 612. In contrast to the diverting and restricting apparatus 200described above, for diverting and restricting apparatus 600 the lateralinlet pipe 612 is located upstream of the lateral outlet pipe 608.

Referring now to FIG. 7, even though the lateral inlet pipe 612 islocated upstream of the lateral outlet pipe 608 per FIG. 6, air releasestructure 400 can be used per the configuration shown on FIG. 7. Again,it can be seen that the air release structure 400 is situated betweenthe lateral outlet pipe 608 and the one or more water heaters 108.Therefore, the air release structure 400 enables air to be removed fromthat portion of the water flow that is being heated and returned to theprimary pipe 604.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an air release structure 400 can be used, suchas per the configuration shown on FIG. 7, for a diverting andrestricting apparatus 800 that includes a primary pipe 604 without aprimary flow control mechanism. Accordingly, several diverting andrestricting apparatus are illustrated herein for purposes of enablement;however, it is to be understood that the air release structure can beused with these and other assemblies used as part of a water heatingsystem associated with oil/gas well treatment systems.

The one or more present inventions may be embodied in other specificforms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics.The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only asillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the one or more presentinventions is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather thanby the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaningand range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope.

The one or more present inventions, in various embodiments, includescomponents, methods, processes, systems and apparatus substantially asdepicted and described herein, including various embodiments,subcombinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art willunderstand how to make and use the one or more present inventions afterunderstanding the present disclosure.

The one or more present inventions, in various embodiments, includesproviding devices and processes in the absence of items not depictedand/or described herein or in various embodiments hereof, including inthe absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices orprocesses (e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and/orreducing cost of implementation).

The foregoing discussion of the one or more present inventions has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing isnot intended to limit the one or more present inventions to the form orforms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description forexample, various features of the one or more present inventions aregrouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose ofstreamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to beinterpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed one or morepresent inventions requires more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspectslie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosedembodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into thisDetailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separatepreferred embodiment of the one or more present inventions.

Moreover, though the description of the one or more present inventionshas included description of one or more embodiments and certainvariations and modifications, other variations and modifications arewithin the scope of the one or more present inventions (e.g., as may bewithin the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understandingthe present disclosure). It is intended to obtain rights which includealternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including alternate,interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or stepsto those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/orequivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein,and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subjectmatter.

What is claimed is:
 1. An assembly adapted for use with an oil/gas welltreatment system that includes a water source and upstream pipingcarrying a primary flow of water from the water source, the oil/gas welltreatment system further including one or more water heaters for heatinga partial flow from the primary flow of water, the oil/gas welltreatment system further including downstream piping, the assemblycomprising: a primary pipe for coupling to the upstream piping and thedownstream piping; a lateral outlet pipe connected to the primary pipefor conveying the partial flow from the primary flow of water from theprimary pipe; an air release structure connected to the lateral outletpipe, the air release structure adapted to release at least some airwithin the partial flow from the primary flow of water; a transfer pipelocated between the air release structure and the one or more waterheaters, the transfer pipe adapted for conveying water between the airrelease structure and the one or more water heaters; and a lateral inletpipe connected to the primary pipe, the lateral inlet pipeinterconnected to the air release structure via the one or more waterheaters and the transfer pipe.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein aninlet for the lateral outlet pipe entering the air release structure islocated at a higher elevation than an outlet for the transfer pipeexiting the air release structure.
 3. The assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising a valve situated within the primary pipe and located betweenthe lateral outlet pipe and the lateral inlet pipe.
 4. The assembly ofclaim 3, wherein the valve comprises a butterfly valve.
 5. The assemblyof claim 3, wherein the valve is manually actuated.
 6. The assembly ofclaim 3, wherein the valve is electronically actuated.
 7. The assemblyof claim 6, further comprising a temperature gauge operativelyassociated with the primary pipe for sensing a temperature within theprimary pipe.
 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the valve iselectronically actuated.
 9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein a computermonitors readings from the temperature gauge and adjusts the valve. 10.The assembly of claim 3, further comprising at least one secondary valveoperatively associated with at least one of the lateral outlet pipe andthe lateral inlet pipe.
 11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the atleast one secondary valve comprises a butterfly valve.
 12. The assemblyof claim 10, wherein the at least one secondary valve is manuallyactuated.
 13. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the at least onesecondary valve is electronically actuated.
 14. The assembly of claim13, further comprising a temperature gauge operatively associated withthe primary pipe for sensing a temperature within the primary pipe. 15.The assembly of claim 14, wherein a computer monitors readings from thetemperature gauge and adjusts the at least one secondary valve.
 16. Theassembly of claim 3, further comprising a temperature gauge downstreamof the primary pipe, wherein the temperature gauge is operativelyassociated with a liquid storage member.
 17. The assembly of claim 16,wherein the liquid storage member comprises one or more of a tank,container, pond, and liquid holding apparatus.